Israeli PM meets with Biden, presidential candidates

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a closed-door meeting with President Joe Biden on Thursday. The pair discussed the need to finalize a ceasefire and a hostage release, along with concerns over the humanitarian crisis in the region. Biden also reaffirmed the right of Israel to defend itself against Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Biden and Netanyahu also met with the families of the American hostages at the same gathering.

What about meeting with leading presidential candidates? Netanyahu met with Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday. He was scheduled to meet with former President Donald Trump on Friday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

What did Harris and Netanyahu discuss? She reaffirmed America’s commitment to the State of Israel’s security and existence during a closed-door meeting on Thursday, according to a White House statement about the private meeting. Harris condemned Hamas as a brutal terror group that massacred 1,200 innocent people and committed horrific sexual violence on Oct. 7. Pro-Hamas graffiti and rhetoric is abhorrent and must not be tolerated, she said.

Israel has a right to defend itself, but how it does so matters, she told reporters after the meeting. Harris voiced many concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including civilian casualties and widespread food insecurity. What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating, she said, describing desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety. Americans cannot look away from these tragedies, she said, adding that she would not stay silent on the matter. She reaffirmed a longstanding U.S. position seeking a two-state solution for peace between Israel and the Palestinian people.

What is Netanyahu’s message? He delivered a passionate speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, detailing how Israel would not stop fighting until every hostage is returned and Israel’s autonomy remains intact. His presence in Washington sparked aggressive protests across the Capitol, eventually forcing capitol security guards to deploy pepper spray.

How bad were the protests against Netanyahu? Thousands of protesters marched through the capital’s streets ahead of the prime minister’s Wednesday address. Demonstrators spray-painted monuments outside Union Station with phrases like “Hamas is coming,” and expletives against Israel. Footage shows protesters pulling down an American flag, burning it, and flying the Palestinian flag in its place. Demonstrators also burned an effigy of Netanyahu and dyed public fountains red in protest. Many also gathered outside the Watergate Hotel where Netanyahu stayed with his wife and chanted on bull horns with various noise makers. Protesters later projected a “wanted” arrest sign with Netanyahu’s image on the hotel’s face.

Dig deeper: Read Catherine Gripp’s report for more on the Capitol Hill protests.